Officials pushing for ban in public places

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Kern County Health officials are moving towards a ban on e-cigarettes, following in the footsteps of other cities and counties in California and across the United States.

Currently, a resolution is being proposed that would broaden tobacco products and smoking definitions to include their electronic counterparts.

Even though the Food and Drug Administration hasn't officially ruled on the safety of this product, the County amendment would prohibit the use of e-cigarettes in existing smoke-free areas and require distributors to obtain a tobacco retailers license.

Donna Fenton, Chief Environmental Health Specialist for the County, said she hopes to push through the resolution in six months.

The City of Bakersfield currently has no plans in the works to adopt a similar resolution.

The popularity of e-cigarettes have skyrocketed in the last few years, with hundreds of brands and flavors available to people who using these 'vaping' devices.

The possible health related consequences have been heavily debated.

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